This is a blog about a girl who could not read for a very long time. She has waited 14 long years to be able to read and wants to share her love of books with anyone who loves to get lost in a world of their own imagination.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Pop Culture Increasingly Shaping the Comic Book Industry

(from azcentral.com
by Matthew Seeman)

As Robert Kirkman walked by a line of people who were waiting for his arrival, several fans stared in disbelief. Kirkman, creator of "The Walking Dead," served as the guest of honor at the Amazing Arizona Comic Convention on Sunday, and he signed copies of his best-selling comic book series for fans who waited in line for hours.

The enthusiastic response to Kirkman this weekend can also be attributed to the success of cable network AMC's adaptation of "The Walking Dead." The premier for the show's fourth season last October collected 16.1 million viewers and an 8.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic. It was the highest rating for any program that year, and the highest rating in the history of cable.

"Pop culture is absolutely shaped by comic books," said Jimmy Jay, organizer for the Amazing Comic Con circuit, in a phone interview.

The Amazing Comic Con first began in 2011 with a convention in Mesa, he said. The event grew so large that it moved to the Phoenix Convention Center last year, and Jay and his brother started two other conventions in Las Vegas and Houston.

More and more people are becoming familiar with comic book culture because of movies and television, Jay said. The Amazing Comic Cons have worked to capitalize on that familiarity by showcasing the comics that inspired these adaptations. Everyone who attended the Arizona convention received a free copy of "The Walking Dead's" first issue, for example.

"We're trying to put together these irresistible packages where [we say], 'You dig pop culture? Well, we'll take you back to the point where it all began'" Jay said.

Several local comic book stores set up shop in the convention, including Jesse James Comics in Glendale. Jesse James, the owner, said he focuses on expanding his store's social marketing at conventions, rather than selling comics.

"It gives people the opportunity, number one, to know we exist," James said in a phone interview, "and number two, to shake our hands."

Assessing pop culture's effect on comic book sales is a tricky subject, James said. Stores must make difficult decisions when it comes to stocking product because a culture must already be built into the property.

"We see a small influx of new customers" around the release of a comic book movie, he said. "It slowly dissipates, and it's up to the store owners to hold that interest."

Other store owners have seen positive effects from pop culture. Drew Sullivan, owner of Ash Avenue Comics in Tempe, said his store has seen a lot of business in recent years. People have more access to mainstream properties because of movies like "The Avengers" and "Man of Steel," which leads to interest in comics.

"People who didn't have a lot of experience beforehand will come across one of those properties and then will want to learn more about the characters," Sullivan said.

"We have so much business from 'The Walking Dead,'" he added. "There's so many people that watch the show, they love the show, and then they find out that it was a comic. They're like, 'I gotta read the comic.'"

"The Walking Dead" and other comics from independent publishers have grown into a much larger portion of the comic book market share. Image Comics may lack historic characters belonging to DC Comics and Marvel, but according to James, they have found a customer base interested in realistic themes. Now, one out of every three comics purchased is from an independent, he said.

"I think indy comic books are the reason comic books are still in business," James said, calling them a stronghold for his store as they outsell everything offered by DC Comics and Marvel.

Titles like "The Walking Dead" and "Saga," also published by Image, sell just as many issues as "Justice League," Sullivan said.

The rise of independent publishers, coupled with pop culture adapting more comic books for the big and small screen, has helped comic book business right now. Even though people can purchase and read comics through their computers and tablets, Sullivan said, sales over the last couple of years at his store have rivaled numbers from 20 years ago.

"After, like, a whole day at work of staring at a computer screen, you don't want to go read something on a computer screen," he said. "You want to turn that off. You want to read something that's tangible, in your hands."

Jimmy Jay does not see the comic business or the Amazing Comic Cons resting at all.

"Where we think the comic industry is going," Jay said, "each event will get bigger and more efficient and stronger than the last."

About Me

I am a good person who believes in the good in others. I am a fiercely loyal friend. I am an RN and not working right now.I plan on going back, which may not be an option due to my disabilities, but I have other options I am exploring. I love books! I, growing up, always had a book in my hand. I love getting lost in a world of books, a world that is not my same day to day world. I love comic books.I went to my first ComicCon this year and am already ready for next year! I adore movies.I will watch almost any movie but prefer horror, dark comedies, IFC type movies, and classics like The Postman Always Rings Twice. I love TCM! I am a big kid! I love Nickelodeon. I love all types of music. I tend to lean towards heavy metal, classic rock, old rap, some top 40. I love the winter and snow,so I am thrilled that it is Novemeber. There is nothing at all that compares to a walk in the snow. I have a wonderful husband of 13 years who is a one in a million find. He knows me better than I know myself. I have a mini-poodle rescue named Nino. I call him my companion because he follows me everywhere and is very in tune to me, very protective of me especially concerning my disabilities. He has his own blog! I have a lot of disabilities but people are surprised to find this out because I am always laughing and smiling and in a good mood. Why cry? It changes nothing and gives you a headache! I would love to do a lot more traveling. I am a homebody but going to PA and WY were very memorable for me. I love bakery deserts like Canolis. A chocoholic - Godiva all the way!! My favorite is anything mint chocolate. I also love and collect stickers! I have been reading a lot lately and I love it. I have a blog you can find here http://www.bloglovin.com/mismatchedbookends.

Come follow me! Meeting new people is the thing I love the most in life. Everyone has something to teach us. And every person you meet helps you grow in some way. The experience may not always be positive, but you may learn an important lesson.